Surf-Instrumental-Rock Review: The Knights-Then And Now

www.lancerecords.com

Dick Stewart's unwavering dedication to music, production, and writing for over four decades, all under his label, Lance Records, is a shining example of passion and commitment to his craft. His relentless pursuit of musical excellence is truly inspiring. 

Stewart embodies the spirit and energy of the independent music community and its relationship to the Internet. His son Jason, who happens to be one of the brightest young guitar players on the planet, also occasionally works with his father.

The Knights, a trio consisting of Dick Stewart (guitar), Gary Snow (bass), and Steve Hudgins (drums), have been at work for several years now. Their relationship goes far beyond the music; you can feel that warmth in every track on this CD. The Knights' unique blend of surf and instrumental rock, a sound that is truly their own, is evident in their latest album.

Then And Now is a conceptual album that compares the old with the new, reflecting on the evolution of music and technology. The best examples of the parallels and effects of modern technology are the songs "Moonbeam," "Cut Out 1964," and "Precision 1964."

Each song has a Y2K counterpart, showcasing the transition from traditional to modern sounds. Son Jason lets it rip on "The Calm and The Storm." I knew instantly it was Jason as the first notes came blaring through my speakers. This guy can rock and is one of the best unknown guitarists actively making music today.

Dick Stewart's unique ability to blend traditional surf-instrumental music with the more modern sounds of today, a sound he helped create, is a testament to his musical prowess. His sequencing of tracks is a stroke of genius, adding an element of excitement and intrigue to the final product. His talent is truly something to be appreciated.

The lead-off track, "Sons Of Beaches," which is much more than just a play on words, is the perfect opener for this recording. Stewart knows how to set up the listener and prepare them for what will come next. This is great surf, rock, and instrumental music with a timeless quality.

The album showcases Stewart's mastery of traditional surf instrumental music and his ability to blend the sixties surf sound with the modern sounds of today. That's why he decided to give you the best of both periods so that you can see the value and appreciate where he came from and where he is now. Many men his age would have disappeared years ago, but he keeps going.

I have been enjoying this man's musical collaborations through my stereo system and colorful conversations via phone and email for many years now. I hope that it continues.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
May 19, 2001

Tracks:

1. Sons Of Beaches  

2. Precision 1964   

3. Precision 2000  

4. Cimarron   

5. Moonbeam  

6. Moonbeam 2000   

7. I Want To Love You   

8. Sand Crab

9. Lonely By The Sea 1965   

10. The Calm And The Storm   

11. Cut Out 1964   

12. Cut Out Y2K   

13. Afterglow   

14. Then And Now

Surf Tribute To Burt Bacharach! - That's New Pussycat

Are you in the mood for something different? Let me rephrase that: Are you looking for something that marches to a different drummer, that's slightly weird and off-color? This Surf Tribute To Burt Bacharach!

That's New Pussycat fits all of those descriptions and more. The cover alone is a good indication of what you are in for.

The surf-instro world has been quite adventurous lately, covering everything from Bach to Bacharach. The instrumental segment of this compilation is brilliantly done. I wish I could to say the same for the groups that decided to sing. Some of the vocals are dreadful. Then, in the same token, some of the vocals are excellent and perfect for the composer's songs, a good example is the tracks with the lovely female background vocals complementing the instrumentals.

That is perfectly appropriate for a Bacharach interpretation. I am sure Mr. Bacharach is flattered that he has been honored with a tribute from such an unlikely genre. I am not sure he would appreciate how some of his greatest songs have been turned upside down to sound like punk and alternative music, though. It's noted that some of these groups are not surf-instro groups, and do not claim to be. This may be a very good reason why some of this music doesn't sound as good as it could be.

For the most part, this was a delightful disc. How can you miss with twenty-five tracks? That's more than enough music for anyone to choose from. Some of the premier surf-instro groups appear- Susan and The Surftones, Pollo Del Mar, Fifty Foot Combo, and the Tiki Tones- some of the names you will quickly notice gracing this unusual compilation. There was plenty for me to sink my teeth into on this CD. All criticism aside, this was a lot of fun to listen to. These ears appreciated all the effort and time that went into this project. Any guitar freak would revel in this vast expanse of saltwater refreshment.

Granted, this is different and veers off the beaten path a bit. The one attribute surf-instro music has that can't be taken away is its uncanny flexibility and ability to mold any music into something that sounds like it belongs within the framework of the genre's particular sound and style.

Some of this music is undoubtedly as fantastic and enjoyable as it gets. It will make any surf-instro fan smile and come back for more.

*A Special Thanks To Susan Yasinski of Susan and The Surftones for providing me with a copy of this CD for review!

Keith "MuzikMan"  Hannaleck 

May 27, 2000

Tracks:

01. 24 Hours From Tulsa-Apeman  

02. The Blob-Aqualads

03. Trains and Boats and Planes-The Baronics

04. Casino Royale Theme- Big Ray and The Futuras 

05. Baby, It's You-Brapidos Four 

06. God Give Me Strength-The Chubbies

07. The Look Of Love-Cosmonauti 

08. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head-Deadbolt  

09. The Windows Of The World- Fabulous Planktones

10. Italian Fuzz-Fifty Foot Combo 

11. Baby It's You-HiFi Ramblers 

12. Walk On By-Mill Valley Taters

13. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head-Mummy And The Peepshow  

14. This Guy's In Love With You-Nose Riders 

15. Baby It's You-Petty Booka 

16. I Say A Little Prayer-Pollo Del Mar

17. Do You Know The Way To San Jose-Seks Bomba 

18. Close To You-Squid Vicious 

19. Bond Street-Surfones 

20. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance-Susan and The Surftones 

21.What's New Pussycat?-Tiki Tones 

22. Anyone Who Had A Heart-Ritchie Venus 

23. (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me-Voodoo Court

24. Downhill and Shady-Waistcoats  

25. Trains and Boats and Planes-Wrong Corpses 

 

Surf Instro Review: Trapped In Hyperspace With... Destination: Earth!

https://www.facebook.com/destinationearth

After performing in front of vast quantities of human life forms and having no desire to return to their home planet, Destination Earth! has decided to give the earthlings what they clamor for, music in the form of Trapped In Hyperspace With...

The carbon-based units require excessive theatrics, good music, and fun and entertainment to sustain their population. The group provides all of that by dressing up as spacemen and acting out a play-by-play script of intrigue and excitement.

The music found on this CD is not of this world. Whoever heard of a surf-instro group that could sing, and do it well? You will witness the proof when you hear one of the best songs on this disc, "Alien Loveslave."

 If that doesn't satisfy your saltwater palette, then all the instro numbers will give you a supercharged rocket ride around the universe. It's a two-way ticket. Influences vary from third wave to traditional. The theme is like that of Man or Astro-Man.

This group is having the time of their lives and making great music. With Destination Earth, you get the best of both worlds (theirs and ours)—an outright stage show and echoing surf-spy-instro ringing in your ears. Yes, life is good on earth these days.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck  

May 10, 2000

Tracks:

01.  Countdown To Intrigue 

02. First Wave 

03. Future Events Such As These

04. Stolen Space Station 

05. N Remains Constant 

06. The Mummy Factory 

07. Damage Report 

08. Boldly Going Nowhere

09. Sonny Does The Stick

10. Alien Loveslave 

11. Idioblast Invasion

12. Flying Fortress 

13. Agents of S.H.A.D.O.W.

14. Theme From Destination: Earth!